April

Capturing Great Crested Grebes in flight is a real challenge. Getting up early is a must, as these birds are very flighty early in the day.

Sparrowhawks cruise the skies.

Willington has a lot of Mute Swans, which visit from time to time. Yes, I know they’re not Whooper or Bewick’s, but they are one of the most graceful birds in the UK. Capturing the sheer gracefulness and beauty of these birds has been a personal challenge for me in 2010.

Fighting ensues as breeding pairs fight for nesting space and territory. This Black-headed Gull took a dislike to a stray Common Tern and almost drowned it. In fact, the Black-headed Gulls pretty much put paid to breeding Common Terns at Willington this year.

Waders started to pass through and stop-in. Little Ringed Plovers are always a joy to see, especially in breeding flight displays.

May

This Sedge Warbler flew high from the reeds regularly, but was difficult to capture.

This Sandwich Tern, was off-course and drifted through Willington GP.

A “cream crown” Marsh Harrier dropped in, only to be mobbed instantly by resident Crows.

In between, I managed a short trip to Norfolk.

One of the Derbyshire highlights of May [ there were 3 of them! ], was the arrival of the Great Reed Warbler, at Ilkeston, Straw Pond. This bird attracted 100’s of birdwatchers and photographers, from all over the country. It also attracted its fair share of the stupid/insensitive type of photographer AND birdwatcher – shame really.

The second May highlight was the Black Tern at Willington.

The 3rd and final Willington highlight occurred on the 29th May – the arrival of an immature Spoonbill to the Canal Pit.

This bird arrived in appalling weather and even as the text arrived, I was thinking, it’s not going to be there when I get there and I’m going to be soaked – but I went anyway and was one of the lucky ones to see it.

December

Stayed local and a good job too – December turned into a bit of an Owl-Fest at Willington. Elsewhere in Derbyshire, and for much of the country, the invasion of Waxwings continued unabated.

At one point there were at least 6 owls on site – 2x Barn Owl, 2x Long-eared Owl, 1x Short-eared Owl and 1x Little Owl.

I have already blogged on Waxwing and the owls, but here are a few images captured this last month of 2010.

Oh, and this bittern provided me with one of my last images of 2010 – a full-framer as well!

I hope you have enjoyed browsing my review of 2010.

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